Internal-combustion engine starting device, vehicle, and internal-combustion engine starting method

ABSTRACT

Provided is an internal-combustion engine starting device in which a control unit controls a motor to realize a first starting mode of starting an internal-combustion engine by increasing a rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine to a predetermined first rotation speed NE 1  by the motor and a second starting mode of starting the internal-combustion engine by increasing the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine to a second rotation speed NE 2  set higher than the first rotation speed NE 1  and set based on a temperature of a coolant by the motor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an internal-combustion engine startingdevice of a hybrid vehicle, a vehicle including the internal-combustionengine starting device, and an internal-combustion engine startingmethod.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a hybrid vehicle which generates power by a combinationof a motor and an engine corresponding to an internal-combustion engineand transmits the power to drive wheels is known. In the hybrid vehicle,the motor is used as a starter at the time of starting theinternal-combustion engine. The starting of the internal-combustionengine is performed by starting an ignition after driving theinternal-combustion engine by the motor within a short time. A method ofpreventing a driver from feeling uncomfortable due to a sound generatedat this time is proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In PatentDocument 1, the discomfort of the driver is prevented by using the soundgenerated at the time of starting the internal-combustion engine as asporty sound in such a manner that a rotation speed overshootintentionally exceeding a target rotation speed corresponding to acurrent rotation speed of an electric motor occurs at the time ofstarting the internal-combustion engine.

Patent Document 1: U.S. Published Patent Application Publication, No.2008/0129049, Specification

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the rotationspeed overshoot is only described as 200 to 500 rpm and a detaileddescription for making the sporty sound at the time of starting theinternal-combustion engine is not made. The starting sound of theinternal-combustion engine depends on whether the rotation speed is highor low and the state of the internal-combustion engine at the time ofstarting the internal-combustion engine is not uniform. Thus, anunpleasant acoustic effect will be rather obtained and then thediscomfort will be given to the driver unless an appropriate targetrotation speed is set based on the state of the internal-combustionengine. On the contrary, it is not easy to appropriately set the targetrotation speed based on the state of the internal-combustion engine toprevent the discomfort of the driver without the description of PatentDocument 1.

An object of the invention is to provide an internal-combustion enginestarting device capable of exhibiting a sporty acoustic effect byappropriately setting a target rotation speed based on a state of aninternal-combustion engine at the time of starting theinternal-combustion engine, a vehicle including the internal-combustionengine starting device, and an internal-combustion engine startingmethod.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to achieve the above-described object, the invention providesan internal-combustion engine starting device including: aninternal-combustion engine unit which includes an internal-combustionengine (for example, an internal-combustion engine 4 to be describedlater), a cooling unit cooling the internal-combustion engine by acoolant, a temperature acquiring unit (for example, a water temperaturesensor 92 to be described later) acquiring a temperature of the coolant,and a rotation speed acquiring unit (for example, a crank angle sensor91 to be described later) acquiring a rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine; and a motor unit which includes a motor (forexample, a motor 5 to be described later) starting theinternal-combustion engine and a control unit (for example, an ECU 6 tobe described later) controlling the motor, wherein the control unitcontrols the motor to realize a first starting mode of starting theinternal-combustion engine by increasing the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine to a predetermined first rotation speed (forexample, a first rotation speed NE1 to be described later) and a secondstarting mode of starting the internal-combustion engine by increasingthe rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine to a secondrotation speed (for example, a second rotation speed NE2 to be describedlater) set higher than the first rotation speed and set based on thetemperature of the coolant by the motor.

In the invention, the second rotation speed is set as the targetrotation speed in the second starting mode of starting theinternal-combustion engine based on the temperature of the coolantconstituting the state of the internal-combustion engine. Accordingly,it is possible to easily realize the higher second rotation speed in thesecond starting mode. Since the sound generated at the time of startingthe internal-combustion engine can be made sporty by further increasinga difference between the first rotation speed and the second rotationspeed, the acoustic effect can be improved. When the second rotationspeed is set without considering the temperature of the coolant, a lowrotation speed difference is set to about 200 rpm to 500 rpm asdisclosed in Patent Document 1 or a high rotation speed difference isset to cause a control failure. However, since the second rotation speedof the second starting mode of starting the internal-combustion engineis set based on the temperature of the coolant as described above, ahigh rotation speed difference of 1,500 to 2,000 rpm to maximum can berealized without setting the rotation speed difference between the firstrotation speed and the second rotation speed to a low value and causingthe control failure. As a result, since the driver can imagine thesporty driving of the vehicle to be driven from the sound generated atthe time of starting the internal-combustion engine before the driving,the driver can expect fun driving.

In this case, the control unit (for example, an ECU 6 to be describedlater) may control the motor (for example, a motor 5 to be describedlater) to set a rotation speed difference between the first rotationspeed (for example, a first rotation speed NE1 to be described later)and the second rotation speed (for example, a second rotation speed NE2to be described later) to a value based on the temperature of thecoolant.

In the invention, the control unit consequently sets the rotation speeddifference between the first rotation speed (for example, a firstrotation, speed NE1 to be described later) and the second rotation speed(for example, a second rotation speed NE2 to be described later) basedon the temperature of the coolant. Accordingly, it is possible to easilyset the rotation speed difference between the first rotation speed andthe second rotation speed to be large with certainty. When the rotationspeed difference between the first rotation speed and the secondrotation speed is set without considering the temperature of thecoolant, a low rotation speed difference is set to about 200 rpm to 500rpm as disclosed in Patent Document 1 or a high rotation speeddifference is set to cause a control failure. However, since therotation speed difference between the first rotation speed and thesecond rotation speed is set based on the temperature of the coolant asdescribed above, a high rotation speed difference of 1,500 to 2,000 rpmto maximum can be realized without setting the rotation speed differenceto a low value and causing the control failure.

In this case, the control unit (for example, an ECU 6 to be describedlater) may increase and set the second rotation speed based on thetemperature of the coolant in a region in which the temperature of thecoolant is equal to or higher than a predetermined first temperature(for example, a predetermined temperature TW_(thre1) to be describedlater) and is equal to or lower than a second temperature (for example,a predetermined temperature TW_(thre2) to be described later) higherthan the first temperature.

In the invention, the second rotation speed of the second starting modeis set to increase as the temperature of the coolant increases based onthe temperature of the coolant in a region in which the temperature ofthe coolant is equal to or higher than the predetermined firsttemperature and is equal to or lower than the second temperature higherthan the first temperature. Accordingly, since it is possible to easilyrealize the higher second rotation speed in the second starting mode, itis possible to further improve the acoustic effect at the time ofstarting the internal-combustion engine. When the temperature of thecoolant is not considered, a low rotation speed difference is set toabout 200 rpm to 500 rpm as disclosed in Patent Document 1 or a highrotation speed difference is set to cause a control failure. However,since the second rotation speed of the second starting mode is set toincrease as the temperature of the coolant increases based on thetemperature of the coolant as described above, a high rotation speeddifference of 1,500 to 2,000 rpm to maximum can be realized withoutsetting the rotation speed difference between the first rotation speedand the second rotation speed to a low value and causing the controlfailure.

In this case, the control unit (for example, an ECU 6 to be describedlater) may set the second rotation speed (for example, a second rotationspeed NE2 to be described later) to a constant value in a region inwhich the temperature of the coolant exceeds the second temperature (forexample, a predetermined temperature TW_(thre2) to be described later).

In the invention, the second rotation speed is set to a constant valuein a region in which the temperature of the coolant exceeds the secondtemperature. Accordingly, since it is possible to set the high rotationspeed which is constant at all times as the second rotation speed of thesecond starting mode in a region in which the temperature of the coolantexceeds the second temperature, it is possible to exhibit a uniformacoustic effect at the time of starting the internal-combustion engine.For this reason, it is possible to stably give a sporty feeling to thedriver at all times without discomfort whenever starting theinternal-combustion engine.

Further, in this case, the control unit (for example, an ECU 6 to bedescribed later) may set the second rotation speed (for example, asecond rotation speed NE2 to be described later) to be equal to orhigher than a predetermined lower-limit rotation speed and equal to orlower than a predetermined upper-limit rotation speed in a region inwhich the temperature of the coolant exceeds the second temperature (forexample, a predetermined temperature TW_(thre2) to be described later).

In the invention, the second rotation speed is set to be equal to orhigher than a predetermined lower-limit rotation speed and equal to orlower than a predetermined upper-limit rotation speed in a region inwhich the temperature of the coolant exceeds the second temperature.Accordingly, since it is possible to set the high rotation speed whichis constant at all times as the second rotation speed of the secondstarting mode in a region in which the temperature of the coolantexceeds the second temperature, it is possible to exhibit the sameacoustic effect at the time of starting the internal-combustion engine.For this reason, it is possible to stably give a sporty feeling to thedriver at all times without discomfort whenever starting theinternal-combustion engine.

In this case, the control unit (for example, an ECU 6 to be describedlater) may control the motor (for example, a motor 5 to be describedlater) to prohibit the realization of the second starting mode in aregion in which the temperature of the coolant is lower than the firsttemperature (for example, a predetermined temperature TW_(thre1) to bedescribed later).

In the invention, the realization of the second starting mode isprohibited in a region in which the temperature of the coolant is lowerthan the first temperature. Accordingly, it is possible to prohibit theinternal-combustion engine from starting with a high rotation despitethe low temperature of the coolant and to protect theinternal-combustion engine.

Further, in this case, the control unit may control the motor (forexample, a motor 5 to be described later) to prohibit the realization ofthe second starting mode in a region in which the temperature of thecoolant is lower than the first temperature (for example, apredetermined temperature TWthre1 to be described later) by apredetermined temperature.

In the invention, the realization of the second starting mode isprohibited in a region in which the temperature of the coolant is lowerthan the first temperature by a predetermined temperature. Accordingly,it is possible to prohibit the internal-combustion engine from startingwith a high rotation despite the low temperature of the coolant and toprotect the internal-combustion engine.

In this case, the internal-combustion engine starting device may furtherinclude a storage battery unit which includes a storage battery (forexample, a battery 9 to be described later) outputting electric power toa motor and a limit rotation speed calculating unit (for example, alimit rotation speed calculating unit 65 to be described later)calculating a limit rotation speed of the motor (for example, a motor 5to be described later) based on an electric power output limit value ofthe storage battery, wherein the control unit (for example, an ECU 6 tobe described later) may control the motor so that an increase degree ofthe second rotation speed (for example, a second rotation speed NE2 tobe described later) becomes smaller than an increase degree of the limitrotation speed in a region in which the temperature of the coolant isequal to or higher than the first temperature (for example, apredetermined temperature TW_(thre1) to be described later) or equal toor lower than the second temperature (for example, a predeterminedtemperature TW_(thre2) to be described later).

In the invention, a differential value of the target rotation speeddetermined from the electric power output limit value of the storagebattery is larger than a differential value of the second rotation speedof the second starting mode. In other words, an increase rate of thesecond rotation speed of the second starting mode increasing inaccordance with an increase in temperature of the coolant is smallerthan an increase rate of the target rotation speed determined from theelectric power output limit value of the storage battery increasing inaccordance with an increase in temperature of the coolant. Accordingly,since it is possible to prevent the setting of the second rotation speedexceeding the target rotation speed determined from the electric poweroutput limit value of the storage battery, it is possible to set thesecond rotation speed in the stable second starting mode.

In this case, the internal-combustion engine (for example, aninternal-combustion engine 4 to be described later) may further includea selection unit (for example, a starting mode selection switch 112 tobe described later) supplying driving power to the vehicle wheel (forexample, a vehicle wheel Wr to be described later) of the vehicle (forexample, a vehicle 3 to be described later) and changing the operationcharacteristic of the vehicle and the control unit (for example, an ECU6 to be described later) may set a second rotation speed (for example, asecond rotation speed NE2 to be described later) based on the operationcharacteristic of the vehicle.

In the invention, the second rotation speed of the second starting modeis set based on the selection, unit changing the operationcharacteristic of the vehicle. Accordingly, it is possible to exhibitthe acoustic effect in response to the operation characteristic of thevehicle selected by the selection unit. Further, since the mode selectedby the selection unit is synchronized with the acoustic effect generatedat the time of starting the internal-combustion engine, it is possibleto improve the satisfaction of the driver with respect to the request(the sporty vehicle behavior) of the driver.

In this case, the control unit (for example, an ECU 6 to be describedlater) may control the motor (for example, a motor 5 to be describedlater) to prohibit the realization of the second starting mode when adifference between the second rotation speed (for example, a secondrotation speed NE2 to be described later) and the first rotation speed(for example, a first rotation speed NE1 to be described later) setbased on the temperature of the coolant is a predetermined value orless.

In the invention, the realization of the second starting mode isprohibited when a difference between the second rotation speed and thefirst rotation speed is a predetermined value or less. Accordingly, itis possible to prevent the acoustic effect of the starting sound of theinternal-combustion engine which is not sporty and does not satisfy thedriver of the vehicle. Thus, it is possible to prevent a case where thesatisfaction of the owner of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle isimpaired. That is, it is possible to prevent a case where the pride ofthe owner of the vehicle is impaired by owning a sporty luxury car.

Further, the vehicle (for example, a vehicle 3 to be described later) ofthe invention includes the internal-combustion engine starting device.In the invention, since the sound generated at the time of starting theinternal-combustion engine of the vehicle can be made sporty by furtherincreasing a difference between the first rotation speed and the secondrotation speed, the acoustic effect can be improved. When the secondrotation speed is set without considering the temperature of thecoolant, a low rotation speed difference is set to about 200 rpm to 500rpm as disclosed in Patent Document 1 or a high rotation speeddifference is set to cause a control failure. However, since the secondrotation, speed of the second starting mode of starting theinternal-combustion engine is set based on the temperature of thecoolant as described above, a high rotation speed difference of 1,500 to2,000 rpm to maximum can be realized without setting the rotation speeddifference between the first rotation speed and the second rotationspeed to a low value and causing the control failure. As a result, sincethe driver can imagine the sporty driving of the vehicle to be drivenfrom the sound generated at the time of starting the internal-combustionengine before the driving, the driver can expect fun driving.

Further, an internal-combustion, engine starting method according to theinvention selectively realizes a first starting mode of starting aninternal-combustion engine by increasing a rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine (for example, an internal-combustion engine 4to be described later) to a predetermined first rotation speed (forexample, a first rotation speed NE1 to be described later) by a motor(for example, a motor 5 to be described later) and a second startingmode of starting the internal-combustion engine by increasing therotation speed of the internal-combustion engine to a second rotationspeed (for example, a second rotation speed NE2 to be described later)set higher than the first rotation speed and set based on a temperatureof a coolant by the motor.

In the invention, the second rotation speed of the second starting modeof starting the internal-combustion engine is set based on thetemperature of the coolant. Accordingly, it is possible to easilyrealize the higher second rotation speed in the second starting mode.Since the sound generated at the time of starting theinternal-combustion engine can be made sporty by further increasing adifference between the first rotation speed and the second rotationspeed, the acoustic effect can be improved. When the second rotationspeed is set without considering the temperature of the coolant, a lowrotation speed difference is set to about 200 rpm to 500 rpm asdisclosed in Patent Document 1 or a high rotation speed difference isset to cause a control failure. However, since the second rotation speedof the second starting mode of starting the internal-combustion engineis set based on the temperature of the coolant as described above, ahigh rotation speed difference of 1,500 to 2,000 rpm to maximum can berealized without setting the rotation speed difference between the firstrotation speed and the second rotation speed to a low value and causingthe control failure. As a result, since the driver can imagine thesporty driving of the vehicle to be driven from the sound generated atthe time of starting the internal-combustion engine before the driving,the driver can expect fun driving.

Effects of the Invention

According to the invention, it is possible to provide aninternal-combustion engine starting device capable of exhibiting asporty acoustic effect by appropriately setting a target rotation speedbased on a state of an internal-combustion engine at the time ofstarting the internal-combustion engine, a vehicle including theinternal-combustion engine starting device, and an internal-combustionengine starting method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle 3 equipped with aninternal-combustion engine starting device according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an ignition switch 110 and a startingmode selection switch 112 of the internal-combustion engine startingdevice according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of anECU 6 according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a relation between a water temperatureand a target rotation speed of an internal-combustion engine 4 at thetime of starting the internal-combustion engine 4 in theinternal-combustion engine starting device according to the embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a relation among an elapse time, arotation torque of a motor, and a target rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 at the time of starting theinternal-combustion engine 4 when a temperature of cooling water exceedsa predetermined temperature TW_(thre3) in the internal-combustion enginestarting device according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a switching of a starting mode in theinternal-combustion engine starting device according to the embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an S/S starting determination processin the internal-combustion engine starting device according to theembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an S/S starting determination processat the time of activating a vehicle in the internal-combustion enginestarting device according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a starting determination process inan EV sailing state of the internal-combustion engine starting deviceaccording to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an S/S starting determinationprocess in an EV stop state in the internal-combustion engine startingdevice according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an S/S starting determinationprocess in an EV low-speed state in the internal-combustion enginestarting device according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle 3A equipped with aninternal-combustion engine starting device according to a modifiedexample of the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle 3B equipped with aninternal-combustion engine starting device according to a modifiedexample of the embodiment of the invention.

PREFERRED MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detailwith reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating avehicle 3 equipped with an internal-combustion engine starting deviceaccording to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a diagramillustrating an ignition switch 110 and a starting mode selection switch112 in the internal-combustion engine starting device according to theembodiment of the invention. A vehicle 3 including theinternal-combustion engine starting device according to the embodimentis a hybrid vehicle. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vehicle 3 includes afirst driving device 1, a second driving device 2, an electronic controlunit (hereinafter, referred to as an “ECU 6”) 6 which is a controldevice constituting a control unit for controlling these drivingdevices, a power drive unit (PDU) 8, and a battery 9.

The first driving device 1 is provided at the rear part of the vehicle 3and drives rear wheels Wr and Wr corresponding to first drive wheels.The first driving device 1 includes an internal-combustion engine (ENG)4, a motor 5, and a transmission 7. The internal-combustion engine 4 andthe motor 5 are connected in series to each other and the torquegenerated by the internal-combustion engine 4 and the motor 5 istransmitted to the rear wheels Wr and Wr through the transmission 7.

The internal-combustion engine 4 is, for example, a V-type six-cylinderengine and generates a torque for causing the hybrid vehicle 3 to travelby burning a fuel. The crank shaft of the internal-combustion engine 4is directly connected to the output shaft of the motor 5 without aclutch.

The internal-combustion engine 4 includes a crank angle sensor 91 (seeFIG. 3) serving as a rotation speed acquiring unit. The crank anglesensor 91 acquires the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine4. Specifically, the crank angle sensor 91 outputs a pulse signal to theECU 6 every predetermined crank angle in response to the rotation of acrank shaft (not illustrated) of the internal-combustion engine 4. Inthe ECU 6, the actual rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4is acquired based on the output of the crank angle sensor 91. Further,the internal-combustion engine 4 includes a water temperature sensor 92serving as a temperature acquiring unit. The water temperature sensor 92acquires a temperature of a coolant. Specifically, the water temperaturesensor 92 outputs a detection signal substantially proportional to atemperature (hereinafter, referred to as a “water temperature”) ofcooling water corresponding to a coolant flowing in a cooling water path(not illustrated) formed in a cylinder block of the internal-combustionengine 4 to the ECU 6.

The internal-combustion engine 4, the crank angle sensor 91 serving asthe rotation speed acquiring unit, the water temperature sensor 92serving as the temperature acquiring unit, and the ECU 6 constitute aninternal-combustion engine unit. The internal-combustion engine 4supplies driving power to the vehicle wheels (the rear wheels Wr and Wr)of the vehicle 3. Further, the cooling water path (not illustrated)formed in the cylinder block of the internal-combustion engine 4communicates with a radiator and these members constitute a cooling unitthat cools the internal-combustion engine 4 by a coolant.

The motor 5 starts the internal-combustion engine 4. The motor 5 isspecifically, for example, a three-phase AC motor and generates a torquefor causing the vehicle 3 to travel by electric power stored in thebattery 9 serving as a storage battery. That is, the battery 9 outputselectric power to the motor 5 and outputs electric power to the ECU 6and the PDU 8. The motor 5 is connected to the battery 9 via the PDU 8including an inverter and assists the driving power of theinternal-combustion engine 4. Further, the motor 5 is used as a starterat the time of starting the internal-combustion engine 4. The motor 5 iscontrolled by a control signal from the ECU 6 so that sporty soundstarting (hereinafter, referred to as “S/S starting”) or generalstarting (hereinafter, referred, to as “normal starting”) of theinternal-combustion engine 4 to be described later is performed. Themotor 5 and the ECU 6 constitute a motor unit.

Further, the ECU 6 constitutes a capacity acquiring unit 61 whichacquires a capacity which is usable in the battery 9. The ECU 6determines whether to perform an EV traveling state in which the vehicle3 travels only by the motor 5 or to cause the vehicle 3 to travel by theinternal-combustion engine 4 based on the acquired usable capacity ofthe battery 9. Further, the ECU 6 constitutes a determination unit 62which determines whether the vehicle 3 currently travels in the EVtraveling state or by the internal-combustion engine 4. Further, the ECU6 constitutes a traveling state acquiring unit 63 which acquires thetraveling state of the vehicle 3, that is, an EV stop state, an EVsailing state, an EV deceleration state, and the like in the EVtraveling state. Further, the ECU 6 constitutes a shift state acquiringunit 64 which acquires information on the position of the transmission 7at any one of gear shift states including a parking position, a neutralposition, a drive position, and the like. Further, the ECU 6 constitutesa limit rotation speed calculating unit 65 which calculates a limitrotation speed BL of the motor 5 based on an electric power output limitvalue of the battery 9 obtained from the usable capacity of the battery9 and constitutes a storage battery unit together with the batteryFurther, the ECU 6 receives an actual speed and acceleration of thevehicle 3 which is acquired by a vehicle speed sensor unit 93 and isoutput to the ECU 6.

The transmission 7 corresponding to the gear shifting unit converts atleast one input from the torque generated by the internal-combustionengine 4 and the torque generated by the motor 5 into a rotation speedand a torque with a desired gear shift ratio and transmits the rotationspeed and the torque to the rear wheels Wr and Wr.

The second driving device 2 is provided at a front part of the vehicle 3and drives front wheels Wf (RWf and LWf) serving as second drive wheels.The second driving device 2 includes motors 2A and 2B. A torque of themotors 2A and 2B is transmitted to the front wheels Wf (RWf and LWf).

The motors 2A and 2B are, for example, three-phase AC motors similarlyto the motor 5 and generate a torque for causing the vehicle 3 to travelby electric power stored in the battery 9. Further, the motors 2A and 2Bare connected to the battery 9 via the PDU 8 including the inverter anda control signal from the ECU 6 is input to the PDU 8 so that the supplyof electric power from the battery 9 and the regeneration of the energyin the battery 9 are controlled.

In addition, each of the rear wheels Wr and Wr and the front wheels Wf(RWf and LWf) is provided with a friction brake (not illustrated). Thefriction brake is configured as, for example, a hydraulic disk brake.When a driver steps on a brake pedal, a stepping amount, that is, astepping force in response to an operation amount is transmitted to abrake pad through a hydraulic cylinder or the like in an amplified stateand a friction force is generated between the brake pad and the brakedish attached to each drive wheel, so that each drive wheel is braked.

The starting of the internal-combustion engine 4 is performed by theignition switch 110 including a button switch 111 illustrated in FIG. 2and disposed at a center console. The ignition switch 110 constitutes anactivation unit which requires the activation of the internal-combustionengine 4. The switching of “S/S starting” and “normal starting” at thetime of starting the internal-combustion engine 4 is performed byoperating an annular starting mode selection switch 112 serving as aselection unit for changing the operation characteristic of the vehicle3 and provided to surround the button switch 111 for starting theinternal-combustion engine 4. The starting mode selection switch 112 isrotatable around the circular button switch 111 coaxially with thebutton switch 111. Switching positions of a first mode 121, a secondmode 122, a third mode 123, and a fourth mode 124 are displayed from theleft side in the annular display unit 113 disposed to surround the outerperiphery of the starting mode selection switch 112. When the startingmode selection switch 112 is rotated about the button switch 111 and aninstruction line 125 displayed on the starting mode selection switch 112is aligned to each switching position of the mode, the correspondingmode is selected. The starting mode selection switch 112 allows theswitching to the operation mode in which the operation characteristic ofthe vehicle 3 is superior to the currently selected operation mode andthe operation mode in which the operation characteristic of the vehicle3 is inferior to the currently selected operation mode. For example, theoperation mode cannot be changed from the first mode 121 to the thirdmode 123 at one time.

The first mode is a mode assuming a quiet travel in an urban area. Thesecond mode in which the operation characteristic of the vehicle 3 issuperior to the first mode is a mode assuming a sporty travel with agood balance. The third mode in which the operation characteristic ofthe vehicle 3 is further superior to the second mode is a mode assuminga real super-sporty travel that is further sportier than the secondmode. The fourth mode in which the operation characteristic of thevehicle 3 is further superior to the third mode is a mode assuming arace or a time attack in a circuit or the like.

Further, the normal starting (first starting mode) indicates a startingmode which generates a normal gentle quiet starting noise at the time ofstarting the internal-combustion engine 4. The S/S starting (secondstarting mode) indicates a starting mode which generates a sporty soundat the time of starting the internal-combustion engine 4, that is, astarting mode which starts the internal-combustion engine by increasingthe rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 compared to thenormal starting. In the first mode, since a quiet travel in an urbanarea is assumed, the internal-combustion engine 4 is started by thenormal starting at all times. In the second mode, the third mode, andthe fourth mode, since the sporty travel is assumed, theinternal-combustion engine 4 is started by the S/S starting or thenormal starting. In this way, it is determined whether to perform theS/S starting in consideration of the characteristic of each operationmode.

The ECU 6 with the above-described hardware configuration performs acontrol of switching the starting mode of the internal-combustion engine4 of the vehicle 3 by controlling the motor 5 instead of switching thestarting mode of the internal-combustion engine 4 of the vehicle 3 bycontrolling the internal-combustion engine 4. That is, the ECU 6 whichcontrols the motor 5 performs a control of switching the starting modeof the internal-combustion engine 4 of the vehicle 3. Here, FIG. 3 is afunctional block diagram illustrating a configuration of the ECU 6according to the embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3,detection signals of various sensors such as the crank angle sensor 91,the water temperature sensor 92, and the vehicle speed sensor unit 93are input to the ECU 6 and control signals are output to the PDU 8, theinternal-combustion engine (ENG) 4, and the motor 5. Further, the ECU 6includes a capacity acquiring unit 61, a determination unit 62, a shiftstate acquiring unit 64, and a limit rotation speed calculating unit 65as modules for performing a control of switching the starting mode ofthe internal-combustion engine 4. Hereinafter, functions of modules willbe described.

The capacity acquiring unit 61 acquires the usable capacity of thebattery 9. That is, the capacity acquiring unit 61 calculates a state ofcharge (SOC) in which a current remaining amount (kW) is expressed inpercentage by assuming the rated capacity of the battery 9 as 1 based onthe output of the battery current sensor 94 and the battery voltagesensor 95. Then, the ECU 6 determines whether to perform the EVtraveling state or to start the internal-combustion engine 4 based onthe SOC calculated by the capacity acquiring unit 61.

The determination unit 62 determines whether the vehicle 3 is currentlyin the EV traveling state or travels by the internal-combustion engine 4based on the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 from thecrank angle sensor 91. That is, the determination unit 62 determinesthat the vehicle 3 currently travels in the EV traveling state when therotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 from the crank anglesensor 91 is 0 (rpm/min). The determination unit 62 determines that thevehicle 3 currently travels by the internal-combustion engine 4 when therotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 from the crank anglesensor 91 is a predetermined value other than 0 (rpm/min).

The shift state acquiring unit 64 is an electric gear selection devicewhich has a plurality of buttons disposed in a center console andswitches a parking position, a neutral position, a drive position, and areverse position by operating the buttons and information output fromthe electric gear selection device is acquired to determine check a gearshift state among the parking position, the neutral position, the driveposition, and the reverse position. The limit rotation speed calculatingunit 65 calculates a limit rotation speed BL (see FIG. 4) of the motor 5based on the electric power output limit value of the battery 9 based onthe SOC calculated and output by the capacity acquiring unit 61 andoutputs the limit rotation speed.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 11, the “normal starting” and the “S/S starting”of the internal-combustion engine 4 performed by the above-describedconfiguration, the control of the internal-combustion engine 4 using theECU 6 for starting the internal-combustion engine 4, and theinternal-combustion engine starting method performed by the control willbe described. The “normal starting (the first starting mode)” and the“S/S starting (the second starting mode)” are selectively realized bythe ECU 6. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a relation between a watertemperature and a target rotation speed of the internal-combustionengine 4 at the time of starting the internal-combustion engine 4 in theinternal-combustion engine starting device according to the embodimentof the invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a relation among anelapse time, a rotation torque of the motor, and a target rotation speedof the internal-combustion engine 4 at the time of starting theinternal-combustion engine 4 when the temperature of the cooling waterexceeds a predetermined temperature TW_(thre3) in theinternal-combustion engine starting device according to the embodimentof the invention.

In the “normal starting (the first starting mode)”, the ECU 6 controlsthe motor 5 to start the internal-combustion engine 4 by increasing therotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 to a predeterminedfirst rotation speed NE1 corresponding to a target rotation speed duringthe normal starting by the motor 5. Specifically, the first rotationspeed NE1 is set in advance based on the water temperature acquired bythe water temperature sensor 92 and is stored in a storage device (notillustrated) of the ECU 6. The first rotation speed NE1 is a firstnormal rotation speed ES1 having a constant value when the watertemperature is lower than a predetermined temperature TW_(thre0) betweenTW_(thre1) and TW_(thre2). When the water temperature is equal to orhigher than the predetermined temperature TW_(thre0) and is equal to orlower than TW_(thre3), the first rotation speed NE1 decreases so thatthe rotation speed decreases at a constant decrease rate with respect toan increase in temperature of the cooling water (to draw a linear graphhaving a negative inclination value). Then, the first rotation speed NE1is a second normal rotation speed ES2 having a constant value when thewater temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature TW_(thre3).

Then, in the normal starting (the first starting mode), the ECU 6controls the motor 5 to start the internal-combustion engine 4 byincreasing the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 to thefirst rotation speed NE1 by the motor 5 based on a first control law andto cause the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 toconverge to an idle rotation speed IN equal to or lower than onerotation speed based on the first control law.

Specifically, as illustrated in the graph of the rotation speed of FIG.5, the ECU 6 performs a feedback control based on a difference betweenthe target rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 and thecurrent rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 in the firstcontrol law and controls the motor 5 so that the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 gradually converges to the idle rotationspeed IN. Since the graph of FIG. 5 illustrates a relation among thetarget rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4, the rotationtorque of the motor, and the elapse time when the water temperatureexceeds the predetermined temperature TW_(thre3), the target rotationspeed matches the idle rotation speed IN and the rotation speedgradually converges to the idle rotation speed IN from the starting ofthe internal-combustion engine 4. The idle rotation speed IN withrespect to the value of the water temperature is as illustrated in FIG.4.

On the contrary, in the “S/S starting (the second starting mode)”, theECU 6 controls the motor 5 to start the internal-combustion engine 4 byincreasing the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 to thesecond rotation speed NE2 set based on the water temperature and sethigher than the first rotation speed NE1 by the motor 5. Specifically,the second rotation speed NE2 is set in advance based on the watertemperature acquired by the water temperature sensor 92 and is stored ina storage device (not illustrated) of the ECU 6. The second rotationspeed NE2 is set to a value higher than the first rotation speed NE1 byabout 1500 rpm/min to 2000 rpm/min in a main cooling water temperatureregion (for example, a region exceeding the temperature TW_(thre3)).

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the second rotation speed NE2 is the firstnormal rotation speed ES1 having a constant value when the watertemperature is lower than TW_(thre1). That is, when the watertemperature is lower than TW_(thre1), the second rotation speed NE2 isthe same value as the first rotation speed NE1 and the ECU 6 controlsthe motor 5 to substantially prohibit the second starting mode.

When the water temperature is equal to or higher than the predeterminedtemperature TW_(thre1) (the first temperature) and equal to or lowerthan TW_(thre2) (the second temperature), the second rotation speed NE2increases so that the rotation speed increases at a constant increaserate with respect to an increase in water temperature (to draw a lineargraph having a positive inclination value). That is, the ECU 6 increasesand sets the second rotation speed NE2 based on the water temperature ina region in which the temperature of the cooling water is equal to orhigher than TW_(thre1) (the first temperature) and is equal to or lowerthan TW_(thre2) (the second temperature) higher than the firsttemperature. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, when the temperature ofthe cooling water is equal to or higher than the temperature TW_(thre1)(the first temperature) and is equal to or lower than the temperatureTW_(thre4) (the fourth temperature), the inclination of the graph of thesecond rotation speed NE2 increasing with respect to an increase intemperature of the cooling water becomes smaller than the inclination ofthe limit rotation speed BL. On the contrary, when the temperature ofthe cooling water is equal to or higher than the temperature TW_(thre4)(the fourth temperature), the inclination of the limit rotation speed BLis constant (the rotation speed ES4) and the inclination of the secondrotation speed NE2 is larger than the inclination of the limit rotationspeed BL.

Then, when the water temperature exceeds TW_(thre2), the second rotationspeed NE2 is a third rotation speed ES3 having a constant value for theS/S starting. That is, the ECU 6 sets the second rotation speed NE2 to aconstant value in a region in which the water temperature exceedsTW_(thre2) (the second temperature). In this way, a rotation speeddifference between the first rotation speed NE1 and the second rotationspeed NE2 is set to a value based on the temperature of the coolingwater and the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to set the rotation speeddifference between the first rotation speed NE1 and the second rotationspeed NE2 to a value based on the water temperature.

The ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to start the internal-combustion engine 4by increasing the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 tothe second rotation speed NE2 higher than the first rotation speed NE1by the motor 5 and to cause the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 to converge to the idle rotation speed INequal to or lower than the second rotation speed NE2 based on a secondcontrol law different from the first control law.

Specifically, the ECU 6 increases the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 to the second rotation speed NE2 by themotor 5 according to a feedback control based on a difference betweenthe target rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 and thecurrent rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4. In thesubsequent second control law, a feedback control based on a differencebetween the target rotation speed of the internal-combustion, engine 4and the current rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 likethe first control law is not performed. The ECU 6 controls the motor 5so that a speed at which the current value of the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 converges to the target value of therotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 in the second controllaw becomes lower than a speed at which the current value of therotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 converges to thetarget value of the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine 4in the control law instead of the feedback control. That is, in thesecond control law, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 so that the rotationof the internal-combustion engine 4 gradually decreases at apredetermined decrease rate and converges to the idle rotation speed INso that the rotation speed converges to the idle rotation speed INslower than the first control law as illustrated in the graph of therotation speed of FIG. 5. It is desirable that the predetermineddecrease rate gradually increase with time and the decrease rate of therotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 gradually decreasewith time as illustrated in the graph of the rotation speed of FIG. 5.

At this time, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 so that the maximum valueT_(MAX) of the torque of the motor 5 of the normal starting (the firststarting mode) is substantially the same as the maximum value T_(MAX) ofthe torque of the motor 5 of the S/S starting (the second starting mode)as illustrated in the graph of the rotation speed of FIG. 5. Further,the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 so that the torque increase speed of themotor 5 of the normal starting (the first starting mode) issubstantially the same as the torque increase speed of the motor 5 ofthe S/S starting (the second starting mode) as illustrated in the graphof the torque (the motor torque) of the motor 5 of FIG. 5. Then, the ECU6 controls the motor 5 so that a time for taking the maximum valueT_(MAX) of the torque of the motor 5 in the S/S starting (the secondstarting mode) is set to be longer than a time for taking the maximumvalue T_(MAX) of the torque of the motor 5 in the normal starting (thefirst starting mode). Subsequently, the ECU 6 gradually and continuouslydecreases the motor torque until the motor torque becomes 0 so that themotor torque decreases at a predetermined decrease rate with time (todraw a linear graph having a negative inclination value).

Next, a control which realizes the normal starting (the first startingmode) and the S/S starting (the second starting mode) of theinternal-combustion engine 4 by the ECU 6 will be described withreference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the switching ofthe starting mode in the internal-combustion engine starting deviceaccording to the embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 6,the vehicle 3 is activated by pressing the button switch 111 of theignition switch 110 (see FIG. 2) (IG). At this time, the starting of theinternal-combustion engine 4 or the EV traveling state is switched bythe modes having been selected already by the starting mode selectionswitch 112.

When the button switch 111 of the ignition switch 110 is pressed whilethe first mode is selected by the starting mode selection switch 112,the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to prohibit the S/S starting (the secondstarting mode) and to realize the normal starting (the first startingmode). That is, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to realize the normalstarting (the first starting mode) (Fi1) when the temperature of thecooling water is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperatureTW_(thre5) higher than the first temperature TW_(thre1). The ECU 6controls the motor 5 to select the EV traveling state without startingthe motor 5 (Fi5) when the temperature of the cooling water exceeds thefirst predetermined temperature TW_(thre5).

If the ECU 6 determines that the accelerator pedal stepping amount, theSOC state, and the temperature of the cooling water satisfy apredetermined condition when the internal-combustion engine 4 isstarted, the ECU 6 controls the internal-combustion engine 4 to stop theinternal-combustion engine 4 and controls the motor 5 to select the EVtraveling state (Fi5). Accordingly, the vehicle 3 travels in the EVtraveling state. If the ECU 6 determines that the accelerator pedalstepping amount, the SOC state, and the temperature of the cooling waterdo not satisfy a predetermined condition after the EV traveling state isselected, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to start theinternal-combustion engine 4 by the normal starting (the first startingmode) (Fi4) and the vehicle 3 travels by the internal-combustion engine4.

When the button switch 111 or the ignition switch 110 is pressed whilethe second mode is selected by the starting mode selection switch 112,the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to selectively realize the normalstarting (the first starting mode) or the S/S starting (the secondstarting mode) based on the temperature of the cooling water. That is,the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to realize the normal starting (the firststarting mode) (Se1) when the temperature of the cooling water is lowerthan the first temperature TW_(thre1). The ECU 6 controls the motor 5 torealize the starting (the second starting mode) (Se2) when thetemperature of the cooling water is equal to or higher than the firsttemperature TW_(thre1). That is, the ECU 6 sets the second rotationspeed NE2 based on the operation characteristic (the operation mode) ofthe vehicle 3.

If the ECU 6 determines that the accelerator pedal stepping amount, theSOC state, and the temperature of the cooling water satisfy apredetermined condition when the internal-combustion engine 4 isstarted, the ECU 6 controls the internal-combustion engine 4 to stop theinternal-combustion engine 4 and controls the motor 5 to select the EVtraveling state (Se5). Accordingly, the vehicle 3 travels in the EVtraveling state. If the ECU 6 determines that the accelerator pedalstepping amount, the SOC state, and the temperature of the cooling waterdo not satisfy a predetermined condition after the EV traveling state isselected, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to start theinternal-combustion engine 4 by the normal starting (the first startingmode) (Se4) and the vehicle 3 travels by the internal-combustion engine4.

When the button switch 111 of the ignition switch 110 is pressed whilethe third mode is selected by the starting mode selection switch 112,that is, the button switch 111 of the ignition switch 110 is pressed sothat the vehicle 3 is activated after the third mode is selected by thestarting mode selection switch 112, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 toselectively realize the normal starting (the first starting mode) or theS/S starting (the second starting mode) based on the temperature of thecooling water similarly to the case where the second mode is selected.That is, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to realize the normal starting(the first starting mode) (Th1) when the temperature of the coolingwater is lower than the first temperature TW_(thre1). The ECU 6 controlsthe motor 5 to realize the S/S starting (the second starting mode) (Th2)when the temperature of the cooling water is equal to or higher than thefirst temperature TW_(thre1). When the internal-combustion engine 4 isstarted, the ECU 6 does not control the motor 5 to select the EVtraveling state differently from the first mode or the second mode.

When the button switch 111 of the ignition switch 110 is pressed whilethe fourth mode is selected by the starting mode selection switch 112,that is, the button switch 111 of the ignition switch 110 is pressed sothat the vehicle 3 is activated after the fourth mode is selected by thestarting mode selection switch 112, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 toselectively realize the normal starting (the first starting mode) or theS/S starting (the second starting mode) based on the temperature of thecooling water similarly to the case where the second mode is selected.That is, the ECU 8 controls the motor 5 to realize the normal starting(the first starting mode) (Fr1) when the temperature of the coolingwater is lower than the first temperature TW_(thre1). The ECU 6 controlsthe motor 5 to realize the S/S starting (the second starting mode) (Fr2)when the temperature of the cooling water is equal to or higher than thefirst temperature TW_(thre1). In a state where the internal-combustionengine 4 is started, the ECU 6 does not control the motor 5 to selectthe EV traveling state similarly to the third mode.

Next, a control of the ECU 6 is as below when the operation mode isselected by the starting mode selection switch 112 at the time ofstarting the internal-combustion engine 4 or selecting the EV travelingstate. If the starting mode selection switch 112 is switched from thefirst mode to the second mode or from the second mode to the first modewhen the internal-combustion engine 4 is started or the EV travelingstate is selected, a state (Fi3, Se3) of starting theinternal-combustion engine 4 or a state (Fi5, Se5) of the EV travelingstate is continued.

Thus, if the ECU 6 determines that the accelerator pedal steppingamount, the SOC state, and the temperature of the cooling water satisfya predetermined condition when the internal-combustion engine 4 isstarted, the ECU 6 controls the internal-combustion engine 4 to stop theinternal-combustion engine 4 and controls the motor 5 to select the EVtraveling state (Fi5, Se5). Accordingly, the vehicle 3 travels in the EVtraveling state. Further, if the ECU 6 determines that the acceleratorpedal stepping amount, the SOC state, and the temperature of the coolingwater do not satisfy a predetermined condition when the EV travelingstate is selected, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to start theinternal-combustion engine 4 by the normal starting (the first startingmode) (Fi3, Se3) and the vehicle 3 travels by the internal-combustionengine 4.

If the starting mode selection switch 112 is switched from the thirdmode to the fourth mode or from the fourth mode to the third mode whenthe internal-combustion engine 4 is started, a state where theinternal-combustion engine 4 is started is continued (Fr3, Th3) and theECU 6 does not control the motor 5 to select the EV traveling state.

When the starting mode selection switch 112 is switched from the thirdmode to the second mode when the internal-combustion engine 4 isstarted, a state of starting the internal-combustion engine 4 iscontinued (Se3). Subsequently, if the ECU 6 determines that theaccelerator pedal stepping amount, the SOC state, and the temperature ofthe cooling water satisfy a predetermined condition, the ECU 6 controlsthe internal-combustion engine 4 to stop the internal-combustion engine4 and controls the motor 5 to select the EV traveling state (Se5).Accordingly, the vehicle 3 travels in the EV traveling state. If the ECU6 determines that the accelerator pedal stepping amount, the SOC state,and the temperature of the cooling water do not satisfy a predeterminedcondition after the EV traveling state is selected, the ECU 6 controlsthe motor 5 to start the internal-combustion engine 4 by the normalstarting (the first starting mode) (Se4) and the vehicle 3 travels bythe internal-combustion engine 4.

If the starting mode selection switch 112 is switched from the secondmode to the third mode when the EV traveling state is selected, the EVtraveling state is not performed in the third mode and thus theinternal-combustion engine 4 is started. At this time, the ECU 6controls the motor 5 to prohibit the starting of the internal-combustionengine 4 by the S/S starting (the second starting mode) and to realizethe starting of the internal-combustion engine 4 by the normal starting(the first starting mode) in principle (Th1).

In this way, if the starting mode selection switch 112 is switched fromthe second mode to the third mode when the EV traveling state isselected in the second mode, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to start theinternal-combustion engine 4 by the normal starting (the first startingmode) in principle at the time of starting the internal-combustionengine 4. However, the ECU controls the motor 5 to start theinternal-combustion engine 4 by the S/S starting (the second startingmode) at the time of starting the internal-combustion engine 4 in aspecific EV traveling state of the EV traveling state. Similarly, theECU 6 controls the motor 5 to start the internal-combustion engine 4 bythe normal starting (the first starting mode) in principle when the EVtraveling state is selected in the first mode at the time of startingthe internal-combustion engine 4 after the starting mode selectionswitch 112 is switched from the first mode to the second mode. However,the ECU controls the motor 5 to start the internal-combustion engine 4by the S/S starting (the second starting mode) at the time of startingthe internal-combustion engine 4 in a specific EV traveling state of theEV traveling state. Here, the “specific EV traveling state” means a casewhere the vehicle 3 travels in the “EV sailing state”, the vehicle 3 isin the “EV stop state” in which the EV traveling state is stopped, orthe vehicle 3 travels in the “EV low-speed state”.

That is, there are various EV traveling conditions. When an original EVtraveling condition is set for each of the traveling states (thespecific EV traveling states) of the vehicle 3 and the original EVtraveling condition is satisfied, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 tostart the internal-combustion engine 4 by the S/S starting (the secondstarting mode).

Hereinafter, a control of starting the internal-combustion engine 4using the ECU 6 will be described along with the starting of theinternal-combustion engine 4 in such a specific EV traveling state willbe described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 11. FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating an S/S starting determination process of theinternal-combustion engine starting device according to the embodimentof the invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an S/S startingdetermination process at the time of activating the vehicle in theinternal-combustion engine starting device according to the embodimentof the invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a startingdetermination process in the EV sailing state in the internal-combustionengine starting device according to the embodiment of the invention.FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an S/S starting determinationprocess in the EV stop state in the internal-combustion engine startingdevice according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 11 is aflowchart illustrating an S/S starting determination process in the EVlow-speed state in the internal-combustion engine starting deviceaccording to the embodiment of the invention.

The processes of the ECU 6 indicated by the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 11are started in a state before the button switch 111 of the ignitionswitch 110 is pressed, that is, the vehicle 3 is activated. First, instep S1, the ECU 6 determines whether it is a state before the vehicle 3is activated, that is, the button switch 111 of the ignition switch 110is pressed. When this determination is YES, the process using the ECU 6proceeds to the activation state S/S starting determination process (seeFIG. 8). When this determination is NO, the process using the ECU 6proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the ECU 6 determines whether the vehicle 3 is in the EVtraveling state based on the rotation speed of the internal-combustionengine 4 acquired by the crank angle sensor 91 serving as the rotationspeed acquiring unit. When this determination is YES, the process usingthe ECU 6 proceeds to step S3. When this determination is NO, theprocess using the ECU 6 returns to step S1.

In step S3, the ECU 6 determines whether the transmission 7 is in theneutral state based on the information output from the electric gearselection device. When this determination is YES, the process using theECU 6 proceeds to the EV sailing state S/S starting determinationprocess (see FIG. 9). When this determination is NO, the process usingthe ECU 6 proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, the ECU 6 determines whether the vehicle speed of thevehicle 3 is 0 (km/h) based on the information of the vehicle speed ofthe vehicle 3 acquired by the vehicle speed sensor unit 93. When thisdetermination is YES, the process using the ECU 6 proceeds no step S5.When this determination is NO (the vehicle speed of the vehicle 3 ishigher than 0 (km/h)), the process using the ECU 6 proceeds to step S6.

In step S5, the ECU 6 determines whether the brake pedal is steppedbased, on the brake pedal stepping amount, when this determination isYES, the process using the ECU 6 proceeds to the EV stop state S/Sstarting determination process (see FIG. 10). When this determination isNO, the process using the ECU 6 returns to step S1.

In step S6, the ECU 6 determines whether the vehicle speed of thevehicle 3 is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value (aspeed threshold value) based on the information of the vehicle speed ofthe vehicle 3 acquired by the vehicle speed sensor unit 93. When thisdetermination is YES, the process using the ECU 6 proceeds to the EVlow-speed state S/S starting determination process (see FIG. 11). Whenthis determination is NO, the process using the ECU 6 returns to stepS1.

In the activation state S/S starting determination process (see FIG. 8),first in step S11, the ECU 6 determines whether the third mode or thefourth mode 124 is selected as the operation mode in a state before thebutton switch 111 of the ignition switch 110 is pressed, that is, thevehicle 3 is activated based on the operation mode acquired from theignition switch 110. When this determination is YES, the process usingthe ECU 6 proceeds to step S12. When this determination is NO, theprocess using the ECU 6 proceeds to step S17.

In step S12, the ECU 6 determines whether the button switch 111 of theignition switch 110 is pressed. When this determination is YES, theprocess using the ECU 6 proceeds to step S13. When this determination isNO, the process using the ECU 6 returns to step S11.

In step S13, the ECU 6 determines whether the temperature of the coolingwater is equal to or higher than the first temperature TW_(thre1)corresponding to the threshold value based on the temperature of thecooling water serving as the coolant acquired from the water temperaturesensor 92 serving as the temperature acquiring unit. When thisdetermination is YES, the process using the ECU 6 proceeds to step S14.When this determination is NO, the process using the ECU 6 proceeds tostep S16.

In step S14, the ECU 6 determines whether the SOC calculated by thecapacity acquiring unit 61 is equal to or larger than a predeterminedthreshold value. When this determination is YES, the process using theECU 6 proceeds to step S15. When this determination is NO, the processusing the ECU 6 proceeds to step S16.

In step S15, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to realize the S/S starting(the second starting mode). Accordingly, the internal-combustion engine4 is started by the S/S starting (the second starting mode). Then, thepresent process according to the control of the ECU 6 ends. Further, instep S16, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to realize the normal starting(the first starting mode). Accordingly, the internal-combustion engine 4is started by the normal starting (the first starting mode). Then, thepresent process according to the control of the ECU 6 ends.

In step S17, the ECU 6 determines whether the button switch 111 of theignition switch 110 is pressed. When this determination is YES, theprocess using the ECU 6 proceeds to step S18. When this determination isNO, the process using the ECU 6 returns to step S11.

In step S18, the ECU 6 determines whether the second mode is selected bythe starting mode selection switch 112 based on the operation modeacquired from the ignition switch 110. When this determination is YES,the process using the ECU 6 proceeds to step S19. When thisdetermination is NO, the process using the ECU 6 proceeds to step S22.

In step S19, the ECU 6 determines whether the temperature of the coolingwater is equal to or higher than the first temperature TW_(thre1)corresponding to a predetermined threshold value based on thetemperature of the cooling water serving as the coolant acquired fromthe water temperature sensor 92 serving as the temperature acquiringunit. When this determination is YES, the process using the ECU 6proceeds to step S20. When this determination is NO, the process usingthe ECU 6 proceeds to step S22.

In step S20, the ECU 6 determines whether the SOC calculated by thecapacity acquiring unit 61 is equal to or larger than a predeterminedthreshold value. When this determination is YES, the process using theECU 6 proceeds to step S21. When this determination is NO, the processusing the ECU 6 proceeds to step S22.

In step S21, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to realize the S/S starting(the second starting mode). Accordingly, the internal-combustion engine4 is started by the S/S starting (the second starting mode). Then, thepresent process according to the control of the ECU 6 ends. Further, instep S22, the ECU 5 controls the motor 5 to realize the normal starting(the first starting mode). Accordingly, the internal-combustion engine 4is started by the normal starting (the first starting mode). Then, thepresent process according to the control of the ECU 6 ends.

In the EV sailing state S/S starting determination process (see FIG. 9),first, in step S31, the ECU 6 determines whether the deceleration of thevehicle 3 is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value (adeceleration threshold value) based on the actual acceleration of thevehicle 3 acquired by the vehicle speed sensor unit 93. When thisdetermination is YES, the process using the ECU 6 proceeds to step S32.When this determination is NO, the process using the ECU 6 returns tostep S31.

In step S32, the ECU 6 determines whether the operation mode is switchedfrom the first mode to the second mode or from the second mode to thethird mode by the starting mode selection switch 112 based on theoperation mode acquired from the ignition switch 110. When thisdetermination is YES, the process using the ECU 6 proceeds to step S33.When this determination is NO, the process using the ECU 6 returns tostep S31.

In step S33, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to realize the S/S starting(the second starting mode). Accordingly, the internal-combustion engine4 is started by the S/S starting (the second starting mode). Then, thepresent process according to the control of the ECU 6 ends.

In the EV stop state S/S starting determination process (see FIG. 10),first, in step S41, the ECU 6 determines whether the operation mode isswitched from the first mode to the second mode or from the second modeto the third mode by the starting mode selection switch 112 based on theoperation mode acquired from the ignition switch 110. When thisdetermination is YES, the process using the ECU 6 proceeds to step S42.When this determination is NO, the process using the ECU 6 returns tostep S41.

In step S42, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to realize the S/S starting(the second starting mode). Accordingly, the internal-combustion engine4 is started by the S/S starting (the second starting mode). Then, thepresent process according to the control of the ECU 6 ends.

In the EV low-speed state S/S starting determination process (see FIG.11), first, in step S51, the ECU 6 determines whether the vehicle speedof the vehicle 3 is equal to or lower than a predetermined thresholdvalue (a speed threshold value) based on the information of the vehiclespeed of the vehicle 3 acquired by the vehicle speed sensor unit 93.When this determination is YES, the process using the ECU 6 proceeds tostep S52. When this determination is NO, the process using the ECU 6returns to step S51.

In step S52, the ECU 6 determines whether the acceleration of thevehicle 3 is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value (anacceleration threshold value) based on the information of theacceleration of the vehicle 3 acquired fey the vehicle speed sensor unit93. When this determination is YES, the process using the ECU 6 proceedsto step S53. When this determination is NO, the process using the ECU 6returns to step S51.

In step S53, the ECU 6 determines whether the operation mode is switchedfrom the first mode to the second mode or from the second mode to thethird mode by the starting mode selection switch 112 based on theoperation mode acquired from the ignition switch 110. When thisdetermination is YES, the process using the ECU 6 proceeds to step S54.When this determination is NO, the process using the ECU 6 returns tostep S51.

In step S54, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to realize the S/S starting(the second starting mode). Accordingly, the internal-combustion engine4 is started by the S/S starting (the second starting mode). Then, thepresent process according to the control of the ECU 6 ends.

As described above, the ECU 6 serving as the determination unit 62determines whether to allow the S/S starting (the second starting mode)based on a predetermined vehicle starting condition such as theoperation mode at the time of activating the vehicle 3 and determineswhether to allow the second starting mode based on the EV travelingcondition (illustrating whether a specific EV mode is selected)different from the vehicle starting condition while the driving power issupplied only from the motor 5 to the vehicle wheel Wr. Then, thevehicle starting condition (a condition for performing the normalstarting (one starting mode)) includes the usable capacity of thebattery corresponding to SOC as one of the conditions. On the contrary,since a determination on whether the SOC satisfies a predeterminedcondition in the EV traveling state, the EV traveling condition (thecondition for determining whether to allow the S/S starting (the secondstarting mode) in the EV traveling state) does not include the usablecapacity of the battery corresponding to the SOC as one of theconditions.

According to the embodiment, the following effect is obtained. The ECU 6constituting the internal-combustion engine starting device controls themotor 5 to realize the first starting mode of starting theinternal-combustion engine 4 by increasing the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 to the predetermined first rotation speedNE1 by the motor 5 and the second starting mode of starting theinternal-combustion engine 4 by increasing the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 to the second rotation speed NE2 set higherthan the first rotation speed NE1 and set based on the water temperatureby the motor 5.

Accordingly, it is possible to easily realize the higher second rotationspeed NE2 in the second starting mode. Further, since the soundgenerated at the time of starting the internal-combustion engine 4 canbe made sporty by further increasing a difference between the firstrotation speed NE1 and the second rotation speed NE2, the acousticeffect can be improved. When the second rotation speed NE2 is setwithout considering the temperature of the cooling water correspondingto the coolant, a low rotation speed difference is set to about 200 rpmto 500 rpm as disclosed in Patent Document 1 or a high rotation speeddifference is set to cause a control failure. However, since the secondrotation, speed NE2 of the second starting mode of starting theinternal-combustion engine is set based on the temperature of thecoolant as described above, a high rotation speed difference of 1,500 to2,000 rpm to maximum can be realized without setting the rotation speeddifference between the first rotation speed NE1 and the second rotationspeed NE2 to a low value and causing the control failure. As a result,since the driver can imagine the sporty driving of the vehicle 3 to bedriven from the sound generated at the time of starting theinternal-combustion engine 4 before the driving, the driver can expectfun driving.

Further, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to set the rotation speeddifference between the first rotation speed NE1 and the second rotationspeed NE2 to a value based on the water temperature. Accordingly, it ispossible to easily set the rotation speed difference between the firstrotation speed NE1 and the second rotation speed NE2 to be large withcertainty. When the rotation speed difference between the first rotationspeed NE1 and the second rotation speed NE2 is set without consideringthe temperature of the cooling water corresponding to the coolant, a lowrotation speed difference is set to about 200 rpm to 500 rpm asdisclosed in Patent Document 1 or a high rotation speed difference isset to cause a control failure. However, since the rotation speeddifference between the first rotation speed NE1 and the second rotationspeed NE2 is set based on the temperature of the coolant as describedabove, a high rotation speed difference of 1,500 to 2,000 rpm to maximumcan be realized without setting the rotation speed difference to a lowvalue or causing the control failure.

Further, the ECU 6 increases and sets the second rotation speed NE2based on the water temperature in a region in which the watertemperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined firsttemperature TW_(thre1) and is equal to or lower than the secondtemperature TW_(thre2) higher than the first temperature. Accordingly,since it is possible to easily realize the higher second rotation speedNE2 in the second starting mode, it is possible to further improve theacoustic effect at the time of starting the internal-combustion engine4. When the temperature of the cooling water corresponding to thecoolant is not considered, a low rotation speed difference is set toabout 200 rpm to 500 rpm as disclosed in Patent Document 1 or a highrotation speed difference is set to cause a control failure. However,since the second rotation speed of the second starting mode is set toincrease as the temperature of the coolant increases based on thetemperature of the coolant as described above, a high rotation speeddifference of 1,500 to 2,000 rpm to maximum can be realized withoutsetting the rotation speed difference between the first rotation speedNE1 and the second rotation speed NE2 to a low value and causing thecontrol failure.

Further, the ECU 6 sets the second rotation speed NE2 to a constantvalue in a region in which the water temperature exceeds the secondtemperature TW_(thre2). Accordingly, since it is possible to set thehigh rotation speed which is constant at all times as the secondrotation speed NE2 of the second starting mode in a region in which thewater temperature exceeds the second temperature TW_(thre2), it ispossible to exhibit the uniform acoustic effect at the time of startingthe internal-combustion engine 4. For this reason, it is possible tostably give a sporty feeling to the driver at all times withoutdiscomfort whenever starting the internal-combustion engine 4.

Further, the ECU 6 sets the second rotation speed NE2 to be equal to orhigher than a predetermined lower-limit rotation speed and equal to orlower than a predetermined upper-limit rotation speed in a region inwhich the water temperature exceeds the second temperature TW_(thre2).Accordingly, since it is possible to set the high rotation speed whichis constant at all times as the second rotation speed NE2 in the secondstarting mode in a region in which the water temperature exceeds thesecond temperature TW_(thre2), it is possible to exhibit the sameacoustic effect at the time of starting the internal-combustion engine4. For this reason, it is possible to stably give a sporty feeling tothe driver at all times without discomfort whenever starting theinternal-combustion engine 4.

Further, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to prohibit the realization ofthe second starting mode in a region in which the water temperature islower than the first temperature TW_(thre1). Accordingly, it is possibleto prohibit the internal-combustion engine 4 from starting with a highrotation despite the low temperature of the coolant and to protect theinternal-combustion engine 4.

Further, the storage battery unit which includes the battery 9 servingas the storage battery outputting electric power to the motor 5 and thelimit rotation speed calculating unit 65 calculating the limit rotationspeed BL of the motor based on the electric power output limit value ofthe battery 9 is further provided and the ECU 6 serving as the controlunit controls the motor 5 so that an increase degree of the secondrotation speed NE2 becomes smaller than an increase degree of the limitrotation speed BL in a region in which the water temperature is equal toor higher than the first temperature TW_(thre1) and is equal to or lowerthan the second temperature TW_(thre2).

For this reason, since it is possible to prevent the setting of thesecond, rotation speed NE2 exceeding the target rotation speed (thelimit rotation speed BL) determined from the electric power output limitvalue of the battery 9 serving as the storage battery, it is possible toset the second rotation speed NE2 in the stable second starting mode.

Further, the internal-combustion engine 4 further includes the startingmode selection switch 112 serving as the selection unit supplyingdriving power to the vehicle wheel Wr of the vehicle 3 and changing theoperation characteristic of the vehicle 3 and the ECU 6 serving as thecontrol unit sets the second rotation speed NE2 based on the operationcharacteristic of the vehicle 3. For this reason, it is possible to makethe acoustic effect in response to the operation characteristic of thevehicle 3 selected by the starting mode selection switch 112. Further,since the mode selected by the selection unit is synchronized with theacoustic effect generated at the time of starting theinternal-combustion engine 4, it is possible to improve the satisfactionof the driver with respect to the request (the sporty vehicle behavior)of the driver.

Further, the ECU 6 serving as the control unit controls the motor 5 toprohibit the realization of the second starting mode when a differencebetween the second rotation speed NE2 and the first rotation speed NE1set based on the water temperature is a predetermined value or less. Forthis reason, it is possible to prevent the acoustic effect of thestarting sound of the internal-combustion engine 4 which is not sportyand does not satisfy the driver of the vehicle 3. Thus, it is possibleto prevent a case where the satisfaction of the owner of the vehicle 3with respect to the vehicle 3 is impaired. That is, it is possible toprevent a case where the pride of the owner of the vehicle 3 is impairedby owning a sporty luxury car.

Further, the ECU 6 serving as the control unit controls the motor 5 toperform the first starting mode of increasing the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 to the first rotation speed NE1 based onthe first control law by the motor 5 to start the internal-combustionengine 4 and causes the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine4 to converge to the idle rotation speed IN equal to or lower than onerotation speed based on the first control law and the second startingmode of increasing the rotation speed or the internal-combustion engine4 to the second rotation speed NE2 higher than the first rotation speedNE1 by the motor 5 to start the internal-combustion engine 4 and causesthe rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 to converge tothe idle rotation speed IN equal to or lower than the second rotationspeed NE2 based on the second control law different from the firstcontrol law.

For this reason, in the second starting mode, the control law is changedafter the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 reaches thesecond rotation speed NE2 higher than the first rotation speed NE1 andthe rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 converges to theidle rotation speed IN equal to or lower than the second rotation speedNE2 by the second control law. Accordingly, it is possible to have avariation in acoustic effect with time at the time of starting theinternal-combustion engine 4 by a difference between the acousticcharacteristic before the engine rotation speed reaches the secondrotation speed NE2 corresponding to the target rotation speed and theacoustic characteristic after the engine rotation speed reaches thesecond rotation speed NE2 corresponding to the target rotation speed.

Further, the ECU 6 serving as the control unit controls the motor 5 sothat a speed at which the current value of the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 converges to the idle rotation speed INcorresponding to the target value of the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 in the first control law becomes largerthan a speed at which the current value of the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 converges to the idle rotation speed INcorresponding to the target value of the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 in the second control law.

For this reason, a change rate of the speed at which the current valueof the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 converges tothe target value of the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine4 in the second control law is smaller than a change rate of the speedat which the current value of the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 converges to the target value of therotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 in the first controllaw. Accordingly, a sharp sound is generated by rapidly increasing therotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 to the secondrotation speed NE2 corresponding to the high rotation range at the timeof starting the internal-combustion engine 4. Then, a reverberationrecalled from a reverberation sound caused by the slow convergence ofthe rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 to the targetvalue of the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 can begenerated after the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4reaches the second rotation speed NE2.

Further, the ECU 6 serving as the control unit controls the motor 5 sothat the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 in thesecond control law decreases at a predetermined decrease rate andconverges to the idle rotation speed IN.

For this reason, the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4decreases at a predetermined decrease rate and converges to the idlerotation speed IN after the rotation speed of the internal-combustionengine 4 reaches the second rotation speed NE2 in the second startingmode. Accordingly, it is possible to generate a reverberation recalledfrom a reverberation sound caused by the slow convergence of therotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 to the idle rotationspeed IN after the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4reaches the second rotation speed NE2.

Further, the ECU 6 serving as the control unit controls the motor 5 sothat the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 in thesecond control law decreases at a predetermined decrease rate, whichgradually increases, and converges to the idle rotation speed IN.

For this reason, the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4converges to the idle rotation speed IN while increasing the gradualdecrease degree after the rotation speed of the internal-combustionengine 4 reaches the second rotation speed NE2 in the second startingmode. Accordingly, since it is possible to prolong the reverberationsound of the low frequency range of the reverberation generated by theconvergence of the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 tothe idle rotation speed IN after the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 reaches the second rotation speed NE2, itis possible to more effectively exhibit the reverberation.

Further, the ECU 6 serving as the control unit controls the motor 5 sothat a feedback control is performed based on a difference between thetarget rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 and thecurrent rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4 in the firstcontrol law.

For this reason, since the control unit performs a control based on thefirst control law before the rotation speed of the internal-combustionengine 4 reaches the second rotation speed NE2 in the second startingmode, the feedback control is performed based on a difference betweenthe target rotation speed and the current rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4. Accordingly, the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 can stably reach the second rotation speedNE2 corresponding to the target rotation speed without causing a largeovershoot with respect to the target rotation speed.

Further, the ECU 6 serving as the control unit controls the motor 5 sothat a torque increase speed of the motor 5 in the first starting modebecomes substantially the same as a torque increase speed of the motor 5in the second starting mode.

For this reason, the torque increase speed of the motor 5 in the firststarting mode becomes substantially the same as the torque increasespeed of the motor 5 in the second starting mode. Accordingly, since itis possible to emphasize a difference in high tone in the high rotationrange of the internal-combustion engine 4 between the first startingmode and the second starting mode with respect to a case where the firststarting mode and the second starting mode have the same low tone in thelow rotation range of the internal-combustion engine 4 at the time ofstarting the internal-combustion engine 4, it is possible to furtherimprove the acoustic effect.

Further, the ECU 6 serving as the control unit controls the motor 5 sothat a maximum value of the torque of the motor 5 in the first startingmode becomes substantially the same as a maximum value of the torque ofthe motor 5 in the second starting mode.

For this reason, the maximum value of the torque of the motor 5 in thefirst starting mode becomes substantially the same as the maximum valueof the torque of the motor 5 in the second starting mode. Accordingly,it is possible to exhibit the acoustic effect in which the high tone inthe high rotation range of the internal-combustion engine 4 is generatedby rotating the motor 5 to the limit.

Further, the ECU 6 serving as the control unit can control the motor 5to realize the first starting mode of starting the internal-combustionengine 4 by increasing the rotation speed of the internal-combustionengine 4 to the predetermined first rotation speed NE1 by the motor 5and the second starting mode of starting the internal-combustion engine4 by increasing the rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine 4to the second rotation speed NE2 higher than the first rotation speedNE1 by the motor 5 and the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to prohibit thesecond starting mode when the first mode 121 is selected by the startingmode selection switch 112 serving as the selection unit.

For this reason, the second starting mode is prohibited when the firstmode 121 is selected. Accordingly, when the driver of the vehicle 3expects the silent driving, the second starting mode can be prohibited.

Further, the ignition switch 110 serving as the starting unit forregaining the activation of the internal-combustion engine 4 is furtherprovided, the plurality of operation modes further include the thirdmode 123 in which the operation characteristic of the vehicle 3 is moreexcellent than the second mode 122, and the ECU 6 serving as the controlunit controls the motor 5 to realize the second starting mode when theactivation of the vehicle 3 is required by the ignition switch 110 afterthe third mode 123 is selected by the starting mode selection switch112.

For this reason, the second starting mode is realized when theactivation of the vehicle 3 is required by the ignition switch 110 afterthe third mode 123 is selected by the starting mode selection switch112. Accordingly, it is possible to start the internal-combustion engine4 by the second starting mode based on the clear intension of the driverin the mode in which the operation characteristic is excellent and whichis equal to or higher than the third mode 123.

Further, the starting mode selection switch 112 serving as the selectionunit allows the switching of the operation mode only to the operationmode in which the operation characteristic of the vehicle 3 is superiorto that of the selected operation mode and the operation mode in whichthe operation characteristic of the vehicle 3 is inferior to that of theselected operation mode.

For this reason, the operation mode can be switched to the adjacentoperation mode by the starting mode selection switch 112. Accordingly,it is possible to prevent an abrupt switching of the operation mode,that is, an abrupt change in operation characteristic.

Further, the ECU 6 serving as the control unit controls the motor 5 toprohibit the second starting mode in principle when the operation modeis changed from the second mode 122 to the third mode 123 by thestarting mode selection switch 112 serving as the selection unit.

For this reason, the second starting mode is prohibited when theoperation mode is changed to the third mode 123 by the selection unit inthe EV traveling state of the second mode 122. Accordingly, hesitationin the internal-combustion engine 4 can be suppressed. Here, thehesitation means a state where the driving power is not temporarilygenerated. More specifically, the hesitation means the response delay ofthe vehicle at the time of stepping on the accelerator pedal, that is,at the time of operating the throttle valve. Generally, the hesitationmeans a temporary decrease in engine output occurring in a short time inthe state or after stepping on the accelerator.

Further, the ECU 6 serving as the control unit can control the motor 5to selectively realize the first starting mode of starting theinternal-combustion engine 4 by increasing the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 to the predetermined first rotation speedNE1 by the motor 5 and the second starting mode of starting theinternal-combustion engine 4 by increasing the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine 4 to the second rotation speed NE2 higherthan the first rotation speed NE1 by the motor 5 and the determinationunit 62 determines whether to allow the second starting mode based onthe predetermined vehicle starting condition (the EV stop state; the EVlow-speed state, the EV sailing state, and the like) in the EV travelingstate at the time of activating the vehicle 3 and determines whether toallow the second starting mode based on the EV traveling condition (theEV stop state, the EV low-speed state, the EV sailing state, and thelike) different from the vehicle starting condition in the state ofsupplying the driving power to the vehicle wheel only by the motor 5.

For this reason, a condition of starting the internal-combustion engine4 by the second starting mode is changed between the activation stateand the EV traveling state of the vehicle 3. Accordingly it is possibleto start the internal-combustion engine 4 by the second starting modebased on a state where the vehicle 3 is, for example, in a specific EVtraveling state such as the EV stop state, the EV low-speed state, andthe EV sailing state.

Further, the storage battery unit which includes the battery 9 servingas the storage battery supplying electric power to the motor 5 and thecapacity acquiring unit 61 acquiring the usable capacity of the storagebattery is further provided and the vehicle starting condition includesthe usable capacity of the battery 9, and the EV traveling conditiondoes not include the usable capacity of the battery 9.

For this reason, the vehicle 3 traveling in the EV traveling statesatisfies a state where the value of state of charge (SOC) allows the EVtraveling. Because of this assumption, a determination on whether theusable capacity of the battery 9 exists is not made in the determinationon whether to start the internal-combustion engine 4 by the secondstarting mode. Accordingly, since the number of determination itemsusing the ECU is reduced, it is possible to easily start theinternal-combustion engine 4 in the second starting mode in response tothe request of the driver in the vehicle 3 traveling in the EV travelingstate.

Further, the traveling state acquiring unit 63 which acquires thetraveling state of the vehicle 3 is further provided, a plurality of EVtraveling conditions are provided, and an original EV travelingcondition is set for each of the traveling states of the vehicle 3.

For this reason, it is determined whether to realize the starting of theinternal-combustion engine 4 by the second starting mode in response tothe EV traveling state of the vehicle 3. Accordingly, it is possible toeasily use the starting of the internal-combustion engine 4 by thesecond starting mode in response to the request of the driver in variousEV traveling states of the vehicle 3.

Further, a brake unit which includes a brake of the vehicle wheel Wr anda brake pedal operated in response to an operation amount and the speedsensor unit 93 which acquires the speed of the vehicle 3 are furtherprovided and the EV traveling condition has a condition in which thebrake pedal is operated and the speed of the vehicle 3 is 0.

For this reason, it is determined whether to realize the starting of theinternal-combustion engine 4 by the second starting mode in the EV stopstate of the vehicle 3. Accordingly, it is possible to realize thestarting of the internal-combustion engine 4 by the second starting modeeven in the EV stop state.

Further, the speed sensor unit (the vehicle speed sensor unit 93) whichacquires the speed of the vehicle 3 and the acceleration of the vehicle3 is further provided and the EV traveling condition has a condition inwhich the speed of the vehicle 3 is higher than 0 and is equal to orlower than a speed threshold value and the acceleration of the vehicle 3is equal to or lower than an acceleration threshold value.

For this reason, it is determined whether to realize the starting of theinternal-combustion engine 4 by the second starting mode in the EVlow-speed traveling state of the vehicle 3. Accordingly, it is possibleto realize the starting of the internal-combustion engine 4 by thesecond starting mode also in the EV low-speed state.

Further, an internal-combustion engine unit which includes thetransmission 7 serving as the gear shifting unit changing an input of atleast one of the internal-combustion engine 4 and the motor 5 in speedand outputs the input to the vehicle wheel Wr and the shift stateacquiring unit 64 acquiring the gear shift state of the transmission 7and the speed sensor unit (the vehicle speed sensor unit 93) whichacquires the deceleration of the vehicle 3 are further provided and theEV traveling condition desirably has a condition in which thetransmission 7 is in a neutral state and the deceleration of the vehicle3 is equal to or lower than a deceleration threshold value.

For this reason, it is determined whether to realize the starting of theinternal-combustion engine 4 by the second starting mode in the EVsailing state of the vehicle 3. Accordingly, it is possible to realizethe starting of the internal-combustion engine 4 by the second startingmode also in the EV sailing state.

Further, the crank shaft of the internal-combustion engine 4 is directlyconnected to the output shaft of the motor 5 without the clutch. Forthis reason, it is possible to simply control the motor 5 by the ECU 6.Further, it is possible to more effectively generate the acousticcharacteristic at the time of starting the internal-combustion engine 4by the second starting mode. It is possible to suppress a vibrationgenerated by the internal-combustion engine 4 and the motor 5.

The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments andmodifications and improvements in the range capable of achieving theobject of the invention are included in the invention. For example, inthe embodiment, the ECU 6 sets the second rotation speed NE2 to aconstant value in a region in which the water temperature exceedsTW_(thre2) (the second temperature), but the invention is not limitedthereto. For example, the ECU 6 may set the second rotation speed NE2 tobe equal to or higher than a predetermined lower-limit rotation speedand equal to or lower than a third rotation speed ES3 corresponding to apredetermined upper-limit rotation speed in a region in which thetemperature of the cooling water exceeds TW_(thre2) (the secondtemperature). Further, the value of the second rotation speed NE2 may bechanged based on the operation mode.

Further, in the embodiment, the second rotation speed NE2 linearlyincreases accordance with an increase in water temperature when thewater temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperatureTW_(thre1) (a first temperature) and is equal to or lower thanTW_(thre2) (a second temperature), but the invention is not limitedthereto. For example, when a difference between the second rotationspeed NE2 and the first rotation speed NE1 set based on the temperatureof the cooling water is a predetermined value or less, the ECU 6 setsthe second rotation speed NE2 to be the same as the first rotation speedNE1 again and may control the motor 5 to prohibit the realization of thesecond starting mode.

Further, in the embodiment, the crank shaft of the internal-combustionengine 4 is directly connected to the output shaft of the motor 5without the clutch, but the invention is not limited thereto. Forexample, the crank shaft of the internal-combustion engine 4 and theoutput shaft of the motor 5 may be connected to each other through aclutch 131 as illustrated in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustratinga vehicle 3A equipped with an internal-combustion engine starting deviceaccording to a modified example of the embodiment of the invention.

Further, in the embodiment, the vehicle 3 has a configuration in whichthe motor 5 or the internal-combustion engine 4 drives the rear wheel Wrand the front wheel Wf is driven by the motors 2A and 2B, but theinvention is not limited to this configuration. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 13, the vehicle may have a configuration in whichthe motor 5 or the internal-combustion engine 4 drives the front wheelWf and the rear wheel Wr is driven by the motors 2A and 2B differentfrom the motor 5. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle 3Bequipped with an internal-combustion engine starting device according toa modified example of the embodiment of the invention.

Further, in the embodiment, the ECU 6 controls the motor 5 to prohibitthe realization of the second starting mode in a region in which thewater temperature is lower than the first temperature TW_(thre1), butthe invention is not limited thereto. For example, the EDU 6 serving asthe control unit may control the motor 5 to prohibit the realization ofthe second starting mode in a region in which the temperature of thecooling water corresponding to the coolant is lower than the firsttemperature TW_(thre1) by a predetermined temperature.

With this configuration, the realization of the second starting mode isprohibited in a region in which the temperature of the cooling watercorresponding to the coolant is lower than the first temperatureTW_(thre1) by a predetermined temperature. Accordingly, it is possibleto prohibit the internal-combustion engine 4 from starting with a highrotation despite the low temperature of the coolant and to protect theinternal-combustion engine 4.

Further, the S/S starting (the second starting mode) may be prohibitedwhen the operation mode is changed by the driver during the starting ofthe internal-combustion engine 4. Accordingly, it is possible to preventa problem in which the driver cannot obtain an expected acoustic effect.

Further, the S/S starting may be prohibited when a failure occurs in atleast one of the internal-combustion engine 4, the motor 5, and thebattery 9. With such a configuration, it is possible to reliablyprioritize the starting of the internal-combustion engine 4 compared tothe S/S starting when a failure occurs in at least any one of theinternal-combustion engine 4, the motor 5, and the battery 9.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   3: vehicle-   4: internal-combustion engine-   5: motor-   6: ECU (control unit)-   7: transmission (gear shifting unit)-   9: battery (storage battery)-   61: capacity acquiring unit-   62: determination unit-   63: traveling state acquiring unit-   64: shift state acquiring unit-   65: limit rotation speed calculating unit-   91: crank angle sensor (rotation speed acquiring unit)-   92: water temperature sensor (temperature acquiring unit)-   93: vehicle speed sensor unit (speed sensor unit)-   110: ignition switch (starting unit)-   112: starting mode selection switch (selection unit)-   121: first mode-   122: second mode-   123: third mode-   IN: idle rotation speed-   NE1: first rotation speed-   NE2: second rotation speed-   TW_(thre1): temperature (first temperature)-   TW_(thre2): temperature (second temperature)-   Wr: vehicle wheel

The invention claimed is:
 1. An internal-combustion engine startingdevice comprising: an internal-combustion engine unit which includes aninternal-combustion engine, a cooling unit cooling theinternal-combustion engine by a coolant, a temperature acquiring unitacquiring a temperature of the coolant, and a rotation speed acquiringunit acquiring a rotation speed of the internal-combustion engine; and amotor unit which includes a motor starting the internal-combustionengine and a control unit controlling the motor, wherein the controlunit controls the motor to realize a first starting mode of starting theinternal-combustion engine by increasing the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine to a predetermined first rotation speed bythe motor and subsequently converging the rotation speed to an idlerotation speed, and a second starting mode of starting theinternal-combustion engine by increasing the rotation speed of theinternal-combustion engine to a second rotation speed set higher thanthe first rotation speed and set based on the temperature of the coolantby the motor and subsequently converging the rotation speed to the idlerotation speed, the control unit controls the motor to prohibit therealization of the second starting mode in a region in which thetemperature of the coolant is lower than a first temperature, andwherein the control unit controls the motor to set a rotation speeddifference between the first rotation speed and the second rotationspeed to a value based on the temperature of the coolant; wherein thecontrol unit controls the motor to prohibit the realization of thesecond starting mode when a difference between the second rotation speedand the first rotation speed set based on the temperature of the coolantis a predetermined value or less.
 2. The internal-combustion enginestarting device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit increasesand sets the second rotation speed based on the temperature of thecoolant in a region in which the temperature of the coolant is equal toor higher than a predetermined first temperature and is equal to orlower than a second temperature higher than the first temperature. 3.The internal-combustion engine starting device according to claim 2,wherein the control unit sets the second rotation speed to a constantvalue in a region in which the temperature of the coolant exceeds thesecond temperature.
 4. The internal-combustion engine starting deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the control unit sets the second rotationspeed to be equal to or higher than a predetermined lower-limit rotationspeed and to be equal to or lower than a predetermined upper-limitrotation speed in a region in which the temperature of the coolantexceeds the second temperature.
 5. The internal-combustion enginestarting device according to claim 2, further comprising: an electricpower storage unit which includes an electric power storage unitoutputting electric power to the motor and a limit rotation speedcalculating unit calculating a limit rotation speed of the motor basedon an electric power output limit value of the electric power storageunit, wherein the control unit controls the motor so that an increasedegree of the second rotation speed becomes smaller than an increasedegree of the limit rotation speed in a region in which the temperatureof the coolant is equal to or higher than the first temperature andequal to or lower than the second temperature.
 6. Theinternal-combustion engine starting device according to claim 1, whereinthe internal-combustion engine supplies driving power to a vehicle wheelof a vehicle, the internal-combustion engine starting device furthercomprises a selection unit which changes an operation characteristic ofthe vehicle, and the control unit sets the second rotation speed basedon the operation characteristic of the vehicle.
 7. A vehicle comprising:the internal-combustion engine starting device according to claim 1.